- (669) 609-0069
- truebuildersca@gmail.com
- Lic # 1110631
Garage conversions in San Jose, from storage to living space.
A legal ADU, in-law suite or home office, with design, City of San José permits and construction under one contract.
- 25+ yearsof building experience
- CSLB #1110631licensed and insured
- One contractdesign, permits and build
- 1-year warrantyon all workmanship
The True Builders difference
A garage planned as a real home. Legal, permitted and built to last.
4-6months for a garage ADU
60day ADU permit decision
1single point of contact
In short: A garage office takes about 2-4 months and a legal studio or one-bedroom ADU about 4-6 months. When a garage becomes an ADU, state law means no replacement parking is required.
BeforeAfterDesign concept
Same garage. A completely different life.
Window wall
The roll-up door becomes black-framed glass and a proper entry to the yard.
Floor & walls
The slab is leveled and sealed, and bare studs become insulated, finished walls.
Kitchen & bath
A kitchenette and bathroom tie into new plumbing and a sewer connection.
Illustrative design concept. Ask us about completed conversions near you.
Why convert
Why San Jose garages make great living space.
San Jose is full of single-story ranch and tract homes with attached two-car garages. That garage already has a foundation, a roof and walls, so converting it is one of the most efficient ways to add legal living space. We design the slab, insulation, window wall, fire separation and plumbing before you commit, then build it as one team.
- Slab moisture and level corrected first
- Roll-up door replaced by a window wall
- Insulation and heat pump sized to code
- Fire separation from the house planned
Conversion layouts
Four ways to use a San Jose garage.
Home office
A quiet, insulated workspace steps from the house, with rough-ins for a future ADU.
Ask about this
Studio ADU
An open studio with a kitchen, full bathroom and private entry, ready to rent or share.
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One-bedroom ADU
A separate bedroom, living area, full kitchen and laundry: a true small home.
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In-law suite
Step-free entries, a curbless shower and wider doors for parents, close to family.
Ask about thisWhat’s included
Everything your conversion needs, under one contract.
01
Design & feasibility
Layout options, ceiling height and egress checks, and a plan for kitchen, bath and entry.
02
Slab & floor work
Moisture barriers, leveling and, where needed, a raised floor so the space stays dry.
03
Window wall & entry
The door opening is framed in with windows, an entry and matching siding or stucco.
04
Plumbing & sewer
Supply and drain lines for a kitchen, bathroom and laundry, including the sewer tie-in.
05
Electrical & HVAC
New circuits, a subpanel if needed, lighting and an efficient heat pump for comfort.
06
Fire separation & code
Fire-rated walls to an attached house, smoke and CO alarms, and energy compliance.
How it works
Five clear steps, one accountable team.
01
Site visit
Week 1We measure the garage, check ceiling height, the slab and electrical capacity, and locate the sewer line for kitchen and bath.
02
Design
Design phaseWe design the layout, window wall, entry and finishes around how you’ll use the space, with energy and structural details.
03
Fixed price
Before constructionWith design complete, you receive a fixed construction price and a schedule, with no surprise line items later.
04
Permits
City reviewWe submit to the City of San José and answer plan check. State law requires a decision on a complete ADU application within 60 days.
05
Build & final
ConstructionSlab prep, framing, rough-ins, insulation, drywall, finishes and every inspection, led by one project manager to the final walkthrough.
60-second planner
What could your garage become?
Your answers carry into the estimate form
Local know-how
Converting a garage in San Jose.
Neighborhoods
Berryessa
1960s-1970s tract homesAttached two-car garages are common here, and many lots sit within half a mile of the Berryessa/North San Jose BART station, where state law requires no ADU parking.
Blossom Valley
1960s-1970s family homesGenerous lots and wide driveways make conversions especially practical here, and many multigenerational families turn the garage into a private in-law suite.
Cambrian
1950s-1960s ranch homesSingle-story homes with attached garages that convert neatly into in-law suites, often with a step-free connection back to the main house and a private side entry.
Evergreen
1980s-2000s homesLarger three-car garages can sometimes convert while keeping a parking bay. HOAs can set reasonable design standards, but state law doesn’t let them prohibit ADUs.
West San Jose
1950s-1970s ranch homesStrong rental demand near major employers makes a studio or one-bedroom conversion a popular income strategy, often with a private entry along the side yard.
Willow Glen
1920s-1950s homesMany older homes have detached garages at the back of the lot, ideal for a private ADU once we’ve checked the existing foundation, framing and roof.
No replacement parking
When a garage is converted to an ADU, California law says the City of San José can’t require you to replace that parking.
Faster review
State law requires a decision on a complete ADU application within 60 days, and existing structures need no new setbacks.
Fire separation
An attached conversion needs a fire-rated separation from the main house, plus smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Sewer & utilities
Kitchens and baths need a drain line to your sewer lateral. In older neighborhoods we often camera-inspect it first.
Client stories
What homeowners say about True Builders.
We vetted 5 different contractors when looking to do our kitchen remodel… He was patient and kind, never putting pressure on us at any point during the bidding process.
Having Nathan as our project manager was an absolute blessing!… Nathan made communication a breeze, keeping us in the loop with progress updates throughout the entire project.
We collaborated with True Builders to renovate two bathrooms in our home… What stood out was their offer to select finished materials for us, saving time and energy for a fixed fee.
FAQs
San Jose garage conversions, questions answered.
Yes. Converting a garage into living space requires permits from the City of San José: building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical, plus energy compliance. We prepare the plans, submit them, respond to plan check and schedule every inspection.
Not when the garage becomes an ADU. California law prohibits cities from requiring replacement parking when a garage, carport or covered parking structure is converted to an accessory dwelling unit.
A bonus room or office without a kitchen typically takes about 2-4 months. A legal studio or one-bedroom ADU usually takes about 4-6 months, including design and permits. Slab corrections or long sewer runs can add time, and we identify them at the site visit.
Yes, if it’s permitted as an ADU with its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance. ADUs can be rented separately from the main house. A Junior ADU in an attached garage also requires the owner to live on the property.
A garage ADU is a complete, independent unit with a full kitchen and bathroom. A Junior ADU is up to 500 square feet within the main home (an attached garage can qualify) with at least an efficiency kitchen. It may share a bathroom with the house and requires owner occupancy.
The intended use matters most: an office without a kitchen costs far less than a full ADU. Slab condition, distance to the sewer line, electrical panel capacity, the window and door package and finish level also affect price. We provide a fixed construction price after design.
Most San José garages meet the ceiling height required for habitable space, but low beams, sloped slabs or a raised floor system can change that. We measure and confirm it at the site visit.
Yes. A detached garage can become a fully separate ADU. We evaluate the existing foundation, framing and roof and plan utility runs from the main house before design begins.
Free estimate
Start with a free site visit.
Tell us how you’d like to use your garage and we’ll reach out to schedule a site visit and feasibility check. No pressure and no obligation, just a clear plan for the space.
- Share your projectA few details now; photos help if you have them.
- Free site visitWe measure, check feasibility and talk through ideas.
- Design and fixed priceA clear plan and a fixed price before any work begins.
More in San JoseHome remodeling · Kitchen remodeling · ADUs · Home additions
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